Fansided

NBA Schedule 2019-20: 5 games with the most revenge potential

By Bryan Toporek

LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 14: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attend a game between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty on June 14, 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JUNE 14: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets and Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder attend a game between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty on June 14, 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by David Becker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Oklahoma City Thunder at Houston Rockets (Oct. 28)

When Russell Westbrook makes his lone trip back to Oklahoma City on Jan. 9, Thunder fans are sure to drown him in adulation. After all, he spent the first 11 years of his NBA career with the franchise, and he didn’t force his way out in free agency (unlike Kevin Durant) or via trade (unlike Paul George).

Chris Paul, however, likely won’t feel the same way during his first trip back to Houston.

In mid-June, Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill reported Paul’s relationship with fellow Rockets star James Harden was “unsalvageable.” Paul reportedly approached the team’s management “and demanded a trade,” while Harden “issued a ‘him or me’ edict following the Rockets’ second-round loss to the Golden State Warriors,” according to Goodwill.

“There’s no respect at all, on either side,” a source told Goodwill. “They need to get away from one another. Chris doesn’t respect James’ standing in the league, and James doesn’t respect the work Chris has put in to this point.”

The Rockets eventually obliged Paul, sending him in a package with two future first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps to the Thunder for Westbrook. Rather than playing for one of the Western Conference’s top title contenders, the 34-year-old Paul will now suit up for a Thunder team that’s toeing the line between a fringe playoff squad and a full-scale rebuild.

If Paul and Harden had grown to detest each other to the extent Goodwill reported, the former may look at his first trip back to Houston as an opportunity for a statement game. Roundly outplaying the younger Westbrook would send a pointed message to Harden and Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, and it could help boost Paul’s trade value, too.

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